Beyond Entrepreneurship: Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company (Paperback)

~ James Collins (Author), William C. Lazier (Author) "We call it the M Syndrome..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Federal Express, Giro Sport Design (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This inspiring work provides entrepreneurs with building blocks to help their companies sustain high performance, play a leadership role in their industries, and remain great for generations. Includes plenty of real-world examples drawn from Nike, L.L. Bean, Wal-Mart, Federal Express, and other success stories.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall Press (September 21, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0133815269
• ISBN-13: 978-0133815269
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #124,811 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new, October 21, 2003

By	Brian Guenther (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The problem with this book, and many books of this type is that it is a clearly organized exposition on intuitive principles. I have read many books that resemble this one. They tend to be motivational and easily conceived, but the downside to the ease with which they are digested is that you don't really learn anything. This does not mean the book should not read, in fact the examples and organization clearly illustrate the basic structure of strategy. However, anyone familiar with the ideas should probably look for something a little more weighty.

All of that being said, this is how the book is organized thematically:

Chapter 1: Leadership Style
Chapter 2: Vision
Chapter 3: Strategy
Chapter 4: Innovation
Chapter 5: Tactical Excellence

The key topics of chapter 1 are the multiplier effect of leadership, the different style of leadership, and the elements of leadership (Ever Forward, Communication, Hard/Soft People Skills, Personal Touch, Focus, Decisiveness, and Authenticity).

Chapter 2 covers the benefits of vision, and the framework for vision (core values and beliefs, purpose, and mission).

Chapter 3 discusses the Four Basic Principles of Setting Effective Strategy, Setting Strategy, Internal Assessment, External Assessment, and the Four Common Key Strategic Issues that Face SMEs.

Chapter 4 is on the Six Elements that make an innovative company, and 8 managerial techniques to stimulate creativity.

Chapter 5 discusses how to take vision to create strategy which can then be used to formulate tactics, how to create an environment where people consistently exhibit tactical excellence, and a six part process to ensure excellence.

This book also periodically presents frameworks, models, and case examples to help illustrate key points.

Overall, it is a quick and easy read, that will illustrate basic tips to run a business. I would recomend anything written by Michael Porter or Peter Drucker for more conceptual ideas. For more books like this, the Harvard Business Review series should be considered.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Applicable Planning Book I Have Read, July 14, 2000

By	Toby Joplin "Smokey Okie" (Tulsa, OK United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have read a number of books on strategic planning. They all generally follow a very similar approach. However, Jim Collins has done a masterful job putting the theory into a format that is easily understood and easily applied to solve real problems. I initially used the book to lead the strategic planning process for the technical support department of a major software company. The results were astounding. I have since used the book to help many other organizations and have found the book equally appropriate for each engagement. Using the concepts in this book will dramatically help your organization.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important Questions...Practical Answers, May 3, 2000

By	Robert Morris (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Collins and Lazier wrote this book for those who seek answers to questions such as these:

1. What kind of leadership must you provide to your organization so that it will achieve the performance, impact, reputation, and longevity it needs...not only to succeed but to sustain that success?

2. How can you formulate an appropriate vision for your organization and then galvanize the commitment and efforts of others to achieve that vision?

3. What are the tough decisions to be made when selecting those strategies which are needed?

4. Meanwhile, what must be done to create and then sustain a culture within which innovative thinking is not only encouraged but nourished?

5. What is "tactical excellence"? What must be done to create an environment within which it is achieved and then (once again, a key word) sustained?

If you need answers to these questions, Collins and Lazier provide them.